Worcester firefighters battle fire and pit bulls

WORCESTER 
Firefighters had to corral four unattended pit bulls in an apartment at 6 Shawmut St. while fighting a fire in the back of the first-floor apartment Wednesday afternoon.

As firefighters headed into the three-story home about 3:10 p.m. they were met by unleashed dogs in the first-floor apartment. At first, the dogs' presence hampered the firefighters' ability to search the building for people, District Fire Chief Samuel Richesson said.

“It did make for some nervous moments,” the district chief said. “They were able to get the dogs contained into some side rooms.”

The fire was held to the rear first-floor of the building. It was extinguished in about 10 minutes. The second and third floors were vacant.

District Chief Richesson said it appeared someone may have been living in the first floor, but no one was found in the apartment.

“It looked like the dogs had not been attended to for quite a period of time,” the district chief said. Firefighters had to maneuver around the dog feces-covered floor.

An animal control officer was called to take custody of the dogs. They did not appear to be injured. Health officials were also called to the home.

The American Red Cross responded and provided lodging and food vouchers for two adults.

Fire investigators were working to determine the cause and origin of the fire.